OPINION & EDITORIAL
Good intentions, bad ideas
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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- Madison's annual hip-hop conference falters (April 14, 2003)
- Dear Dave: Post this near your desk (April 17, 2003)
- Politicking destroyed opt-out's proponents (April 14, 2003)
- Don't Cut Historical Society Funds (April 29, 2003)
- Redirecting control (April 23, 2003)
Related Stories:
- High Priority (April 30, 2002)
- Everybody isn't doing it (April 11, 2002)
- Support ALRC recommendations to create a healthier campus environment (April 18, 2002)
- Tending to tenants (March 12, 2002)
- Unflattering survey shows need for UW to better promote itself (March 1, 2006)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Thursday, April 4, 2002
While many students were imbibing themselves on sunny Florida beaches last week, Harvard researchers released the results from the 2001 nationwide binge-drinking survey.
The survey proved something everyone has long agreed on: alcohol abuse on college campuses is a serious issue. Mirroring national trends, the statistics at UW speak for themselves:
- Twenty percent of UW students have been injured while drinking.
- Thirty percent have experienced unplanned sexual activity.
- Nearly 40 percent UW students have missed class as a result of drinking.
Furthermore, 55 percent of students have experienced at least two secondhand effects of alcohol abuse, including having sleep or study interrupted by drunken neighbors, caring for drunken students and being insulted or humiliated by drunken individuals.
Only the drunkest ideologue would deny these numbers are a problem. Far less certain is the solution, but not for lack of searching. Since 1993, when Harvard researchers conducted the first nationwide college-drinking survey (and first defined “binge drinking”), everyone from the World Health Organization to the city of Madison has worked to solve the problem.
Until now, most efforts have focused on education and awareness efforts, but the latest results demonstrate this tactic has been ineffective—levels of high-risk drinking remain unchanged. This is not especially surprising—any parent can attest to the worth college students place on the wisdom of their elders.
Thus, the Harvard report suggests new tactics, including raising alcohol taxes and prices, instituting responsible beverage service (i.e. banning drink specials), limiting outlets and changing hours of service.
Here in Madison, the Alcohol License Review Committee is following suit: Earlier this week, the ALRC approved a sweeping package of increased rules and regulations targeting college students. The proposal includes everything from banning campus-area drink specials to taking pictures of students who end up in detox (so much for privacy concerns!).
Both the Harvard researchers and the ALRC are wrong. Prohibition-like tactics are a fundamentally misguided approach that, like the aforementioned education campaign, will fail to curb high-risk drinking. Even worse, the consequences of failure could be much more severe.
The problem with this campaign is a failure to recognize that students drink, and if they cannot find anything better to do, they will drink a lot. Poor, bored college students will find loopholes in any prohibitive actions, whether it be keggers in tomb-like basements or 30-can cases of Old Mud. In both instances, drinking would be occurring in unregulated, dangerous environments as opposed to heavily regulated and supervised bars and restaurants (the ALRC is on track when it focuses on house parties).
The solution lies in the opposite direction—more options, not fewer. Far better would be the loosening of regulations on entertainment venues that can serve alcohol.
The advantages of increased entertainment options should be obvious—if students are there for the show, high-risk drinking is much less likely. Less clear to regulators is the reality that forcing most entertainment venues to choose between alcohol-free or 21 and over only is a losing proposition.
The city and university should work to provide more entertainment options where those under 21 can enjoy the show while those of age can have a beer if they like. It is doubtful either will binge and the environment will be supervised—which means a safer night for all.
*
Hope is not yet lost. Tonight the ALRC is meeting with students at 5:30 p.m. in 5160 Grainger to get feedback about their recommendations to curb drinking problems in the downtown Madison area. We encourage students concerned about these misguided regulations to voice their support for more options, not fewer.
